Medical Blankets

ABSTRACT

Described is an improved polypropylene blanket constructed entirely of man-made fiber with a cotton-like hand. The improved polypropylene blanket provides longer life and low cost per usage due to its high thermal insulation, high strength and high abrasion resistance. This results in a blanket with a fast drying time that conserves energy and proves more durable than cotton-rich products. The blanket is soil resistant that attracts less dirt and dust, is resistant to fungi, molds and mildew and wicks away perspiration from the skin.

RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation-in-part of U.S. application Ser. No. 14/979,531, filed on Dec. 28, 2015, which claims the benefit of the following four U.S. Provisional Patent Applications:

1. Ser. No. 62/096,959, filed on Dec. 26, 2014;

2. Ser. No. 62/147,831, filed on Apr. 15, 2015;

3. Ser. No. 62/154,181, filed on Apr. 29, 2015; and

4. Ser. No. 62/166,165, filed on May 26, 2015.

All of the foregoing are hereby incorporated by reference.

FIELD OF THE DISCLOSURE

The present disclosure relates generally to improved medical blankets designed for use by patients in a hospital. In this application, “blanket” includes any type of textile that provides protection against the elements and “hospital” includes any type of medical facility. The improved blankets may be branded as the Eco Blanket Solution™.

BACKGROUND

Hospital blankets for patient use must meet a number of requirements to satisfy the needs of the patient, the hospital and the laundry facility that cleans the blankets. For the patient, the blanket must be sanitary and comfortable, keeping the patient warm in a colder climate and cool in a warmer climate. For the hospital, the blanket must have minimal bulk, be easily portable, be easily distributable to patients for use and be easily collectable from patients for cleaning or disposal. For the laundry facility, the blanket must be easy to clean with minimal water/soap usage and minimal drying times.

Traditional cotton and polyester/cotton thermal blankets often do not satisfy these needs because of their numerous drawbacks. Such drawbacks include: poor warmth due to low thermal insulation, low strength and abrasion resistance, high water usage in laundering and longer drying time. This results in a blanket with shorter useful life and a relatively higher cost per usage.

Further, optimization in laundry industry has traditionally focused on improved machines, improved chemistry and improved water usage. Yet the state of the art ignores another equally important method of optimization: to improve throughput and profit margins at a laundry by improving the features of the laundered materials.

Accordingly, there is a need in the art to provide an improved hospital blanket that has a longer useful life while providing superior features for the patient, hospital and laundering facility.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

The accompanying figures, where like reference numerals refer to identical or functionally similar elements throughout the separate views, together with the detailed description below, are incorporated in and form part of the specification, and serve to further illustrate embodiments of concepts that include the claimed invention, and explain various principles and advantages of those embodiments.

FIG. 1 is an orthographic view of a first embodiment of a blanket in accordance with the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a close-up view of FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is a close-up view of a second embodiment of a blanket in accordance with the present invention.

Skilled artisans will appreciate that elements in the figures are illustrated for simplicity and clarity and have not necessarily been drawn to scale. For example, the dimensions of some of the elements in the figures may be exaggerated relative to other elements to help to improve understanding of embodiments of the present invention.

The apparatus and method components have been represented where appropriate by conventional symbols in the drawings, showing only those specific details that are pertinent to understanding the embodiments of the present invention so as not to obscure the disclosure with details that will be readily apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art having the benefit of the description herein.

DESCRIPTION

Turning to FIG. 1, shown is an improved polypropylene blanket constructed entirely of man-made fiber with a cotton-like hand. FIG. 2 is a close-up of a portion of the improved polypropylene blanket shown in FIG. 1, enlarged to show detail. FIG. 3 is a close-up of a portion of another embodiment, an improved polypropylene/polyester blanket, enlarged to show detail.

I. IMPROVED POLYPROPYLENE BLANKET

The improved polypropylene blanket provides longer life and low cost per usage due to its high thermal insulation, high strength and high abrasion resistance. This results in a blanket with a fast drying time that conserves energy and proves more durable than cotton-rich products. The blanket is soil resistant that attracts less dirt and dust, is resistant to fungi, molds and mildew and wicks away perspiration from the skin.

A. Physical Properties 1. FIRST EMBODIMENT

The overall properties of a first embodiment of the improved polypropylene blanket may include:

-   -   Size: 74″×100″ and weight: 2.60 lbs. per blanket (but the size         may be adjusted to be any useful length and width and the weight         will change accordingly). In the alternative, the weight may be         3.00 lbs per blanket.     -   Appearances: Choice of white or color; and     -   Texture: “Chevron” weave pattern, as shown in detail in FIG. 2.

Specific features of the improved polypropylene blanket may include:

-   -   Fiber Identification (AATC 20A): 100% Olefin.     -   Fabric weight (ASTM D3776): 6.94 oz./sq. yd.     -   Fabric count (ASTM D3775): 36.7 ends/inch×30 pics/inch.     -   Yarn size (ASTM D1059): 775.3 denier warp×747.1 denier filling.     -   Filament count: 160 filaments warp and 160 filaments filling.     -   Yarn twist (ASTM D1423):         Singles, “S” twist with 4.08 TPI Avg. (warp); and         Singles “S” twist with 3.94 TPI Avg. (filling).     -   Thermal transmittance of materials (ASTM F 1868): resistance:         Rct (CLO) of 0.681 average (Procedure Part A Thermal         Resistance).     -   Electrostatic Clinging of Fabrics, Fabric-to-Metal Test         (AATC 115) at 23 degrees C., 42% relative humidity: Warp: 4         seconds for nylon rubbing fabric; 8 seconds for polyester         rubbing fabric. Filling: 11 seconds for nylon rubbing fabric; 12         seconds for polyester rubbing fabric. (Average time required for         specimen to lose electrostatic charge.)     -   Fabric Dimensional Change and Appearance (Machine Wash @ 160         degrees F., Tumble Dry High, Unrestored):         First Cycle Dimensional Change: −1.3% Length; −1.2% Width.         Appearance: Slightly to negligibly yellower and less bright         shade change, No noticeable pilling or fuzzing, Hand is slightly         to negligibly more soft. No other noticeable change or         deterioration.         Third Cycle Dimensional Change: −2.1% Length; −2.1% Width.         Appearance: Slightly yellower and less bright shade change. No         noticeable pilling or fuzzing. Hand is slightly to negligibly         more soft. Slight to negligible short snags No other noticeable         change or deterioration.         Fifth Cycle Dimensional Change: −2.3% Length; −2.6% Width.         Appearance: Noticeably yellower and less bright shade change, No         noticeable pilling or fuzzing, Hand is slightly more soft,         Slight to noticeable short snags, No other noticeable change or         deterioration.

2. SECOND EMBODIMENT

The overall properties of a second embodiment of the improved polypropylene blanket may include:

-   -   Size: 73″×103″ and weight: 3.00 lbs. per blanket (but the size         may be adjusted to be any useful length and width and the weight         will change accordingly).     -   Appearances: Choice of tan, white or other color; and     -   Texture: “Squares” weave pattern, as shown in detail in FIG. 3.

Specific features of the improved polypropylene blanket may include:

-   -   Fiber Identification (AATC 20A): 100% Olefin.     -   Fabric weight (ASTM D3776): 8.24 oz./sq. yd.     -   Fabric count (ASTM D3775): 40.0 ends/inch×33.3 pics/inch.     -   Yarn size (ASTM D1059): 654.2 denier warp×741.4 denier filling.     -   Filament count: 160 filaments warp and 160 filaments filling.     -   Yarn twist (ASTM D1423): <1 TPI (warp); and <1 TPI (filling).     -   Thermal transmittance of materials (ASTM F 1868): resistance:         Rct (CLO) of 0.74 average (Procedure Part A Thermal Resistance).     -   Electrostatic Clinging of Fabrics, Fabric-to-Metal Test         (AATC 115) at 21 degrees C., 20% relative humidity: Length: does         not cling for nylon rubbing fabric; does not cling for polyester         rubbing fabric. Width: does not cling for nylon rubbing fabric;         does not cling for polyester rubbing fabric. (Thus, average time         required for specimen to lose electrostatic charge is 0         seconds.)     -   Fabric Dimensional Change (AATC 135-2204) and Appearance         (Machine Wash @ 160 degrees F., Tumble Dry High, Unrestored)         (ASTM D3938):         First Cycle Dimensional Change: −3.6% Length; −4.2% Width.         Appearance: Slightly to negligibly redder and less bright shade         change, No noticeable pilling or fuzzing, Hand is slightly to         negligibly more soft and less flat. No other noticeable change         or deterioration.         Third Cycle Dimensional Change: −4.8% Length; −5.2% Width.         Appearance: Slightly redder and less bright shade change, No         noticeable pilling or fuzzing, Hand is slightly more soft and         less flat. No other noticeable change or deterioration.         Fifth Cycle Dimensional Change: −5.5% Length; −6.2% Width.         Appearance: Slightly to noticeably redder and less bright shade         change, No noticeable pilling or fuzzing, Hand is slightly more         soft and less flat. No other noticeable change or deterioration.

45 Degree Flammability per part 1610 of the Flammable Fabrics Act (Plain Fabric):

Unrefurbished: Did not ignite. Refurbished Did not ignite. Test Results: Pass-Class 1, Normal Flammability. In all cases, the Stop Cord Remains Unbroken, thus no burn time is available.

The foregoing features may be adjusted so as to produce results similar to those described herein.

B. Advantages

The advantages of the improved polypropylene blanket are numerous. For the patient, the improved polypropylene blanket wicks away perspiration by promoting movement of moisture away from the skin because of its hollow fiber. This increases patient comfort because it allows the fabric to stays cooler in a warm climate. In a colder climate, the hollow fiber provides additional insulation, which keeps the patient warm.

The improved polypropylene blanket is also more sanitary due to its resistant to fungi, molds and mildew. This resistance inhibits growth of microscopic organisms on the surface and resists growth of odor producing bacteria. Polypropylene is also soil resistant attributable to chemical inertness and lower accumulation of static by friction during use. As a result, polypropylene fabric attracts less dirt and dust as compared to other materials.

For the hospital and laundry, the improved polypropylene blanket has minimal bulk and is easily portable. The improved polypropylene blanket also cleans easily with low water usage and quick drying when laundering. As such, it uses less energy, utilities and chemicals to process. This provides a cost savings both because it takes fewer resources to clean each blanket and because each blanket can endure more laundry cycles before needing disposal.

C. Test Results

Various test results of the improved polypropylene blanket when compared with standard CVC thermal blankets show marked improved performance in the throughput of the blanket's washing and drying. (CVC stands for Chief Value Cotton, which is a blend of cotton and polyester where cotton is in the majority.)

Example 1

Example 1 is based on a 5-cycle laundry tunnel wash and drying test comparing a 2.62-pound improved polypropylene blanket (a “new spread”) and a 2.2-pound CVC thermal blanket (a “light-weight spread”). A cycle is a tunnel wash and dry. The therm is a unit of heat energy equal to 100,000 British thermal units (BTU). It is approximately the energy equivalent of burning 100 cubic feet (often referred to as 1 CCF) of natural gas. One therm can also be provided by about 96.7 cubic feet (2.74 m³) of natural gas.

The following Table 1 shows information related to a 5-cycle wash for the new spread.

TABLE 1 CYCLE # 1 2 3 4 5 PIECES PER LOAD 108 108 108 108 108 TOTAL WEIGHT 283 283 283 283 283 PER LOAD (pounds) EXTRACTED 361 361 361 361 361 WEIGHT (pounds at the end of the tunnel wash) DRY WEIGHT AT 258 28.53% THE END OF CYCLE 5 (pounds) DRY TIME (minutes) 19 19 19 19 19 INLET TEMP (F.) 445 OUTLET TEMP (F.) 180 COOL DOWN TIME 2.5 (minutes) WEIGHT AFTER 258 DRY CYCLE (pounds) THERMS USED 2.48 2.59 1.96 2.48 2.38 PER DRYER CYCLE AVG. THERMS 2.38 FOR TEST GAS METER READINGS LOAD IN 121.1 130 132 137.2 139.6 LOAD OUT 123.5 132.5 133.9 139.6 141.9 TOTAL THERMS 2.48 2.59 1.96 2.48 2.38 USED

This results in a therm per blanket of 0.91 and a therm per pound of 0.34.

The following Table 2 shows information related to a 5-cycle wash for the light-weight spread.

TABLE 2 CYCLE # 1 2 3 4 5 PIECES PER LOAD 108 108 108 108 108 TOTAL WEIGHT 237.6 237.6 236.7 236.7 236.7 PER LOAD (pounds) EXTRACTED 355.5 395 394 394 394 WEIGHT (pounds at the end of the tunnel wash) DRY WEIGHT AT 243 31.65% THE END OF CYCLE 5 (pounds) DRY TIME (minutes) 28 28 28 28 28 INLET TEMP (F.) 445 OUTLET TEMP (F.) 185 COOL DOWN TIME 2.5 (minutes) WEIGHT AFTER 218.7 DRY CYCLE (pounds) THERMS USED 3.35 2.79 3.07 2.79 2.98 PER DRYER CYCLE AVG. THERMS 3.00 FOR TEST GAS METER READINGS: LOAD IN 117.5 124 133.9 141.9 144.9 LOAD OUT 121.1 127 137.2 144.9 148.1 TOTAL THERMS 3.72 3.10 3.41 3.10 3.31 USED

This results in a therm per blanket of 1.36 and a therm per pound of 0.61.

Example 2

Example 2 is based on a 5-cycle laundry tunnel wash and drying test comparing: a) a 2.62-pound improved polypropylene blanket (a “new spread”); b) a 2.2-pound CVC thermal blanket (a “light-weight spread”); and c) a 3.75-pound CVC thermal blanket (a “traditional spread”). The data in Example 2 was obtained in the following manner:

-   -   The data for the new spread of Example 2 is identical to the         data for the new spread of Example 1.     -   The data for the light-weight spread of Example 2 is identical         to the data for the light-weight spread of Example 1.     -   The data for the traditional spread of Example is based on the         data for the light-weight spread of Example 2 extrapolated to a         3.75 pound CVC thermal blanket.

The following Tables 3, 4 and 5 show further data comparing the new spread, the light-weight spread and the traditional spread.

TABLE 3 New Spread (Based on 108 pieces per 1st 2nd 3rd 4th 5th load) Cycle Cycle Cycle Cycle Cycle Average TOTAL 283 283 283 283 283 WEIGHT PER LOAD (2.62 lb./ piece) (pounds) EXTRACTED 361 361 361 361 361 WEIGHT (pressed) (pounds) DRY TIME 19 19 19 19 19 19 (minutes) WEIGHT 258 258 258 258 258 AFTER DRY CYCLE (pounds) LOAD 121 130 132 137 140 IN(therms) LOAD OUT 124 133 134 140 142 (therms) TOTAL 2.48 2.59 1.96 2.48 2.38 2.38 THERMS USED

TABLE 4 Light Weight Spread (Based on 108 pieces per 1st 2nd 3rd 4th 5th load) Cycle Cycle Cycle Cycle Cycle Average TOTAL 238 238 238 238 238 WEIGHT PER LOAD (2.20 lb./ piece) (pounds) EXTRACTED 356 356 356 356 356 WEIGHT (pressed) (pounds) DRY TIME 28 28 28 28 28 28 (minutes) WEIGHT 243 243 243 243 243 AFTER DRY CYCLE (pounds) LOAD IN 118 124 134 142 145 (therms) LOAD OUT 121 127 137 145 148 (therms) TOTAL 3.72 3.10 3.41 3.10 3.31 3.33 THERMS USED

TABLE 5 Traditional Spread (Based on 108 pieces per 1st 2nd 3rd 4th 5th load) Cycle Cycle Cycle Cycle Cycle Average TOTAL 405 405 405 405 405 WEIGHT PER LOAD (3.75 lb./ piece) (pounds) EXTRACTED 606 606 606 606 606 WEIGHT (pressed) (pounds) DRY TIME 28 28 28 28 28 28 (minutes) WEIGHT 414 414 414 414 414 AFTER DRY CYCLE (pounds) LOAD IN 200 211 229 243 248 (therms) LOAD OUT 206 216 234 247 252 (therms) TOTAL 6.35 5.29 4.92 4.34 4.67 5.11 THERMS USED

The following Table 6 shows further data comparing the new spread and the light-weight spread.

TABLE 6 Dry Time Total Therms Per Product Selection (minutes) Therms Used Blanket New Spread 19 2.38 0.91 Lightweight Spread 28 3.33 1.51 Improvement 9 0.95 0.60 Savings 32% 29% 40%

The following Table 7 shows further data comparing the new spread and the traditional spread.

TABLE 7 Total Therms Per Product Selection Dry Time Therms Used Blanket New Spread 19 2.38 0.91 Traditional Spread 28 5.11 1.36 Improvement 9 2.73 0.45 Savings 32% 53% 33%

Example 3

In this Example 3, another set of lab trials for drying comparing the improved polypropylene blanket of 2.6 pounds (called ECO Thermal) with regular CVC thermal blankets of 3.75 pounds and 2.6 pounds was performed. Fabric samples from each product of the same size were taken and then dried them using tumble drying equipment and line drying. After each interval the weight of the samples was recorded.

The following Table 8 shows tumble drying data comparing the ECO Thermal Blanket with the 2 CVC Thermal Blankets.

TABLE 8 Eco CVC CVC Thermal Thermal Thermal Product Blanket Blanket Blanket Weight per item 2.6 lbs  3.75 lbs   2.6 lbs  Initial Weight of sample 180 grams 298 grams 180 grams Wet Weight after soaking in water 245 grams 745 grams 447 grams Weight after spin cycle 222 grams 520 grams 312 grams Weight after 5 min tumble drying 180 grams 468 grams 280 grams Weight after 10 min tumble drying 180 grams 424 grams 254 grams Weight after 15 min tumble drying X 386 grams 231 grams Weight after 20 min tumble drying X 366 grams 220 grams Weight after 40 min tumble drying X 298 grams 180 grams

The following Table 9 shows line drying data comparing the ECO Thermal Blanket with the 2 CVC Thermal Blankets.

TABLE 9 Eco CVC CVC Thermal Thermal Thermal Product Blanket Blanket Blanket Weight per item 2.6 lbs  3.75 lbs   2.6 lbs  Initial Weight of sample 182 grams 308 grams 184 grams Wet Weight after soaking in water 250 grams 735 grams 440 grams Weight after spin cycle 232 grams 522 grams 312 grams Weight after 30 minutes 210 grams 498 grams 300 grams Weight after 60 minutes 200 grams 486 grams 291 grams Weight after 90 minutes 190 grams 476 grams 284 grams Weight after 120 minutes 182 grams 462 grams 275 grams Weight after 720 minutes X 318 grams 184 grams

Example 4

Shown in Table 10 are data comparing results after about 60 pieces of the improved polypropylene blanket (called ECO-Blanket) and a prior art standard blanket (called E49277-621) were washed 100 times.

TABLE 10 ECO-Blanket E49277-621 Pre wash size 69.68″ × 88.19″ L 70.9″ × 105.1″ L Pre wash weight  659 g (1.45 lb) 908 g (2 lb) Post wash size 66.54″ × 66.14″ L  69.5″ × 84.1″ L Post wash weight 632.6 g (1.39 lb)  847.7 g (1.87 lb) Shrinkage % on Length 25% 20% Shrinkage % on Width  4%  2% Water Transfer 3.45 liters 11 liters Absorbency per meter square 0.53 liters/m² 0.85 liters/m²

The data show that because of the lower absorbency level of the yarns, only about ⅓ as much water ends up going into the dryer. There is a corresponding ⅔ reduction in drying time.

D. Conclusions

The conclusions drawn from these Examples are:

-   -   The improved polypropylene blanket inherently absorbs less water         when compared to regular CVC thermal blankets. CVC thermal         blankets absorb 150% water with respect to their own weights and         the improved polypropylene blanket absorbs only 36% of its         weight.     -   Laundry machines operating at optimum workload are able to         launder 50% more improved polypropylene blankets due to its less         absorption. This means less water usage and waste, less         chemicals, less wash detergents and higher efficiency per         machine.     -   The improved polypropylene blankets are quick to dry. In line         drying, the improved polypropylene blanket dry 6 times faster         than regular CVC thermal blankets. In tumble drying, the         improved polypropylene blanket needs 75% less tumble drying time         than regular CVC thermal blankets.

In addition to the foregoing specifications, a 1.6 to 1.75 pound plain weave blanket may be used with otherwise the same or similar physical properties, This plain-weave blanket may be a bath blanket with the same 100% Olefin.

II. IMPROVED POLYPROPYLENE/POLYESTER BLANKET

The improved polypropylene/polyester blanket is a second embodiment of a blanket that provides longer life and low cost per usage due to its high thermal insulation, high strength and high abrasion resistance. This results in a blanket with a fast drying time that conserves energy and proves more durable than cotton-rich products. The blanket is soil resistant that attracts less dirt and dust, is resistant to fungi, molds and mildew and wicks away perspiration from the skin.

The improved polypropylene/polyester blanket may have one or more of the following physical properties:

-   -   Blend: 85% Polypropylene/15% Polyester.     -   Finished Size: 70″ width×90″ length and weight 1.6 lb. (but the         size may be adjusted to be any useful length and width and the         weight will change accordingly).     -   Warp Count: 150 Denier.     -   Weft Count: 330 Denier.     -   Warp Threads per inch: 34.     -   Weft Threads per inch: 34.     -   Packing Bale: 48 pcs per bale.     -   Fabric weight (ASTM D3776): 4.66 oz./sq. yd.     -   Fabric count (ASTM D3775): 36.0 ends/inch×40.0 pics/inch.     -   Yarn size (ASTM D1059): 145.6/1 denier warp×738.7/2 denier         filling.     -   Filament count: 48 filaments warp and 80 filaments filling per         ply.     -   Yarn twist (ASTM D1423):         <1 TPI (warp); and         2 Ply “S” twist with 199.6 TPI Avg. (filling).     -   Fiber Identification (AATCC 20A—With Moisture): Olefin: 83.91%         (confirmed by DSC analysis) and Polyester: 16.09%.         -   Thermal transmittance of materials (ASTM F 1868):             resistance: Rct (CLO) of 0.67 average (Procedure Part A             Thermal Resistance).         -   Electrostatic Clinging of Fabrics, Fabric-to-Metal Test             (AATC 115) at 23 degrees C., 27% relative humidity: Wales: 0             seconds for nylon rubbing fabric; 0 seconds for polyester             rubbing fabric. Courses: 0 seconds for nylon rubbing fabric;             0 seconds for polyester rubbing fabric. (Time required for             specimen to lose electrostatic charge: fabric does not             cling.)         -   Fabric Dimensional Change and Appearance (Machine Wash @ 160             degrees F., Tumble Dry High, Unrestored):             First Cycle Dimensional Change: −15.5% Length; −3.9% Width.             Appearance: Slightly brighter shade change. No noticeable             pilling. Slight to negligible fuzzing, Slightly puckered             overall. Hand is slightly to negligibly less soft. Slight to             negligible short snags. No other noticeable change or             deterioration.             Third Cycle Dimensional Change: −17.5% Length; −5.1% Width.             Appearance: Slightly brighter shade change. No noticeable             pilling. Slight fuzzing, Slightly puckered overall. Hand is             slightly less soft. Slight short snags. No other noticeable             change or deterioration.             Fifth Cycle Dimensional Change: −17.9% Length; −5.5% Width.             Appearance: Slightly brighter shade change. No noticeable             pilling. Slight fuzzing, Noticeably puckered overall. Hand             is slightly less soft. Slight short snags. No other             noticeable change or deterioration.

In an additional test, after 3 washes, the length shrank by 20% and the width shrank by 5%. These washes produced a yellowed fabric with a rough hand, stretches and rough wavy edges.

The foregoing features may be adjusted so as to produce results similar to those described herein. Specifically, a second embodiment may have a fabric weight of 6.82 to 7.2 oz/sq. yd. and a fabric count within a range of 35-40/″ ends×30-34/″ pics.

The improved polypropylene/polyester blanket may have the same advantages as the improved polypropylene blanket set forth in Section I, above.

III. IMPROVED POLYPROPYLENE/POLYESTER/COTTON BLANKET

The improved polypropylene/polyester.cotton blanket is a third embodiment of a warming blanket used for patients that provides longer life and low cost per usage due to its high CLO value, high thermal insulation, high strength and high abrasion resistance. This results in a blanket with a fast drying time that conserves energy and proves more durable than cotton-rich products. The blanket is soil resistant that attracts less dirt and dust, is resistant to fungi, molds and mildew and wicks away perspiration from the skin.

The improved polypropylene/polyester/cotton blanket may have one or more of the following physical properties:

-   -   Warp 30 Denier, consisting of a polyester 80% and cotton 20%     -   Weft 330 Denier, consisting of one thread of polypropylene yarn         and one thread of polyester yard repeated throughout.     -   42 ends/inch     -   36 picks/inch     -   Overall blend ratio of 45% polypropylene, 45% polyester and 10%         cotton.     -   Weight 1.5 lbs.

The improved polypropylene/polyester blanket may have the same advantages as the improved polypropylene blanket set forth in Section I above.

IV. CONCLUSION

In the foregoing specification, specific embodiments have been described. However, one of ordinary skill in the art appreciates that various modifications and changes can be made without departing from the scope of the invention as set forth in the claims. Accordingly, the specification and figures are to be regarded in an illustrative rather than a restrictive sense, and all such modifications are intended to be included within the scope of present teachings.

The benefits, advantages, solutions to problems, and any element(s) that may cause any benefit, advantage, or solution to occur or become more pronounced are not to be construed as a critical, required, or essential features or elements of any or all the claims that claim benefit to this application. The invention is defined solely by such claims including any amendments thereto and all equivalents of those claims as issued.

In the foregoing specification, specific embodiments have been described. However, one of ordinary skill in the art appreciates that various modifications and changes can be made without departing from the scope of the invention as set forth in the claims below. Accordingly, the specification and figures are to be regarded in an illustrative rather than a restrictive sense, and all such modifications are intended to be included within the scope of present teachings.

The benefits, advantages, solutions to problems, and any element(s) that may cause any benefit, advantage, or solution to occur or become more pronounced are not to be construed as critical, required, or essential features or elements of any or all the claims. The invention is defined solely by the appended claims including any amendments made during the pendency of this application and all equivalents of those claims as issued.

Moreover in this document, relational terms such as first and second, top and bottom, and the like may be used solely to distinguish one entity or action from another entity or action without necessarily requiring or implying any actual such relationship or order between such entities or actions. The terms “comprises,” “comprising,” “has”, “having,” “includes”, “including,” “contains”, “containing” or any other variation thereof, are intended to cover a non-exclusive inclusion, such that a process, method, article, or apparatus that comprises, has, includes, contains a list of elements does not include only those elements but may include other elements not expressly listed or inherent to such process, method, article, or apparatus. An element proceeded by “comprises . . . a”, “has . . . a”, “includes . . . a”, “contains . . . a” does not, without more constraints, preclude the existence of additional identical elements in the process, method, article, or apparatus that comprises, has, includes, contains the element. The terms “a” and “an” are defined as one or more unless explicitly stated otherwise herein. The terms “substantially”, “essentially”, “approximately”, “about” or any other version thereof, are defined as being close to as understood by one of ordinary skill in the art. The term “coupled” as used herein is defined as connected, although not necessarily directly and not necessarily mechanically. A device or structure that is “configured” in a certain way is configured in at least that way, but may also be configured in ways that are not listed.

The Abstract of the Disclosure is provided to allow the reader to quickly ascertain the nature of the technical disclosure. It is submitted with the understanding that it will not be used to interpret or limit the scope or meaning of the claims. In addition, in the foregoing Detailed Description, it can be seen that various features are grouped together in various embodiments for the purpose of streamlining the disclosure. This method of disclosure is not to be interpreted as reflecting an intention that the claimed embodiments require more features than are expressly recited in each claim. Rather, as the following claims reflect, inventive subject matter lies in less than all features of a single disclosed embodiment. Thus the following claims are hereby incorporated into the Detailed Description, with each claim standing on its own as a separately claimed subject matter. 

We claim:
 1. A polypropylene blanket comprising: a fiber comprising 100% olefin fiber, wherein the fiber comprises a weight of approximately 8.24 ounces per square yard.
 2. The polypropylene blanket as in claim 1, wherein the fiber further comprises a fabric count of approximately 40.0 ends/inch×33.3 pics/inch.
 3. The polypropylene blanket as in claim 2, wherein the fiber also comprises a yarn size of approximately 654.2 denier warp×741.4 denier filling.
 4. The polypropylene blanket as in claim 3, wherein the fiber further comprises a filament count of approximately 160 filaments warp and 160 filaments filling.
 5. The polypropylene blanket as in claim 4, wherein the fiber further comprises a yarn twist for the warp of approximately less than 1 threads per inch and a yarn twist for the filling of approximately less than 1 threads per inch.
 6. The polypropylene blanket as in claim 5, wherein the fiber further comprises a square weave pattern.
 7. The polypropylene blanket as in claim 6, wherein the fiber is approximately 73 inches in width×103 inches in length.
 8. The polypropylene blanket as in claim 7, wherein the fiber has a weight of approximately 3.00 pounds.
 9. A polypropylene blanket comprising: a fiber comprising 100% olefin fiber, wherein the fiber comprises a weight of approximately 8.24 ounces per square yard and wherein the fiber absorbs approximately 36% of its weight in a wash cycle.
 10. The polypropylene blanket as in claim 9, wherein the fiber further comprises a fabric count of approximately 40.0 ends/inch×33.3 pics/inch.
 11. The polypropylene blanket as in claim 10, wherein the fiber also comprises a yarn size of approximately 654.2 denier warp×741.4 denier filling.
 12. The polypropylene blanket as in claim 11, wherein the fiber further comprises a filament count of approximately 160 filaments warp and 160 filaments filling.
 13. The polypropylene blanket as in claim 12, wherein the fiber further comprises a yarn twist for the warp of approximately less than 1 threads per inch and a yarn twist for the filling of approximately less than 1 threads per inch.
 14. The polypropylene blanket as in claim 13, wherein the fiber further comprises a square weave pattern.
 15. The polypropylene blanket as in claim 14, wherein the fiber is approximately 73 inches in width×103 inches in length.
 16. The polypropylene blanket as in claim 15, wherein the fiber has a weight of approximately 3.00 pounds.
 17. A polypropylene blanket comprising: a fiber comprising 100% olefin fiber, wherein the fiber comprises a weight of approximately 8.24 ounces per square yard and wherein the fiber may be dried using approximately 1.9 therms after a wash cycle.
 18. The polypropylene blanket as in claim 17, wherein the fiber absorbs approximately 36% of its weight after the wash cycle. 